SC restores Hadiya’s marriage

Supreme Court on Thursday restored Hadiya’s marriage and set aside the Kerala High Court order which had annulled marriage.

A three-judge bench of the Apex Court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra and also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud passed the interim order.

The Apex Court, however, said, that the National Investigating Agency’s (NIA) probe into the alleged love Jihad case would continue and be taken to its logical conclusion by the agency in accordance with law and as per the statute.

The order said that the Kerala High Court should not have annulled the marriage of Hadiya (also known as Akhila Ashokan).

The Apex Court, in its interim order, also made it clear that Hadiya is at liberty to pursue her future endeavors as per law. The petition is allowed.

Kerala Love Jihad case victim, Hadiya (also known as Akhila) had on February 20, filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court and stated that she is a Muslim and wanted to remain as a Muslim.
Hadiya, in her affidavit, also stated that she wanted to remain as the wife of Safin Jahan.

This affidavit comes after the Supreme Court had passed a detailed order in November last year.

On November 27, last year, the Supreme Court had in its order directed that Hadiya be taken to Shivaraj, Homeopathy college at Salem, Tamil Nadu to continue and pursue her studies. The Apex Court also said that the college authorities had to make all necessary arrangements for her hostel facilities to complete her studies there.

The Supreme Court had also said that the Dean of the university will act as her local guardian there.

When Hadiya had appeared before the Apex Court three-judge bench, headed by CJI Misra, she told the SC that she wanted to remain free and wanted to live a life with freedom.